Bamboo House Austin

This place has the most authentic Chinese food in Austin Texas. Every dish was either decent or very good! The only other authentic Chinese place I know is House of Three Gorges

This is one of the signature Austin Chinese restaurants so far. Austin still struggles compared to Houston and Dallas so keep that in mind. However this place is genuinely pretty good. I like the spicy fried chicken, sauerkraut beef, spicy fish, green beans, twice cooked pork. If you like Peking duck, come early to order and be mindful on how much you have to order. Half duck I think is limited to parties of 4 or less. Parking is the big downside when they're busy in addition to the long wait times. The garage is there but it's really small if you have a large car

Austin in the last few years has seen the arrival of at least 10 exceptional Chinese restaurants.While no one will ever confuse Austin with Vancouver or Flushing Chinatown,We have gone from being Chinese Challenged to being Chinese Serious.Bamboo House is one of the restaurants of distinction that is giving Austin nontrivial street cred as a place to get Chinese food.The clientele is 90 percent plus Chinese.At a recent weekend lunch, there was a one hour waiting list to get in.People do not wait one hour in line to eat at restaurants that are terrible.Okay - the weather was cold, so they did not have their customary patio seating available.But with warm weather - it would have been a forty minute wait to get in.Even if it was a two hour wait, it would absolutely positively be worth it.* * *Bamboo Hut serves Northern Chinese Beijing-Shanghai food, rather than the Southern Cantonese food we usually see.There is an additional fillip.They also serve non-Chili-oil Szechuan specialties.American Szechuan food is basically all red colored dishes with chili oil, chili oil, chili oil, and for a change of pace, twice as much chili oil.Those chili oil dishes are divine ...But that is like saying all Texas food has jalapenos.Just like there is Italian food that is not red sauce ItalianThere is Szechuan food that is not red sauce Chinese.They serve those dishes at Bamboo House.* * *About 1/4 of the menu involves unique dishes you can only get at Bamboo House.3/4 are very good renditions of other Chinese dishes you have had elsewhere.Staples such as Lo Mein and Generic Sauteed Vegetables are outstanding in their Bamboo House Version.They do a lot of dishes which are batter fried in an egg breading.Those dishes are super filling and super addictive.We got the equivalent of Sweet Potato French Fries with the special egg coating.We have been eating off that one order for several days.It was good times on Day One.It is still good times on Day Four.They do what they call Spicy Fried Chicken which is a superior version of a Chong Qing Chicken.Any kitchen can saute whatever in a wok with 600 zillion dried red chilis.The dish vastly improves when you do a superlative job on the chicken chunks and you make those both large and magnificently tasty in their own right.They don't bother with the usual garlic and ginger bits here - and they don't need to. The chicken carries the day.They have a lot of dishes that they serve "Szechuan". This neither means spicy, nor does it involve chili oil. This means sauteed in a savory brown sauce unlike the brown sauce dishes you get in American Chinese restaurants.Their lo mein dishes have a distinctive taste too ...So I wonder if the Szechuan brown goes in both dishes.Either way - Szechuan style is super good here.Get it with what ever meat or vegetables you feel like having.Their drunken chicken is to die for.This is steamed chicken chopped into random small pieces with a meat cleaver, marinated in shochu and served cold. It is obscenely good.* * *I am giving all this praise and I am ignoring two of the most important house specialties.The house specializes in Peking Duck.Avian flu has put dramatic restrictions on the supply of ducks that can be Peking-ed.So they limit how many ducks can be ordered by a given party.The ducks are pricy but they are probably worth exploring.They also maintain a live lobster tank.Every lobster dish they serve has two complete lobsters, and those lobsters are not small.The lobster dishes looked intriguing ...Even if my credit card was saying"You aren't really going to do this, are you?"* * *Practical note to keep in mind about Bamboo House.Portions are about two thirds larger than you are used to.These are not exactly double servings - but they are not far off either.I typically order the same number of dishes I order at other top of the line Chinese restaurants.I take home way more from Bamboo House than I do from more traditional establishments.Prices reflect the fact that you are getting more.Since what you are getting is pretty damm fine,Think of the tab at the end of the meal as an investment.You will be eating your Bamboo House goodies for much of the rest of the following week.* * *Happiness for half a week?Sign me up!

Such a great restaurant! Lots of traditional Chinese dishes but also some American Chinese dishes as well.Definitely get the peking duck - my favorite fish on the menu. Duck is definitely a 5/5.The other dishes I tried were good, not the best I've tried. Would rate the rest of their dishes 3/5.Service was ok, what you would expect for a Chinese restaurant.

Amazing! We have been here multiple times, and every time we leave with our tummies full and our hearts happy! The food has been so flavorful, the quality consistent and the portions large... The wait staff is always friendly and patient... If you want Peking Duck, make sure you arrive EARLY! Usually they are sold out by early evenings...

Their Peking Duck was so delicious! The skin was perfectly crispy and the meat was tender. Simply sensational. Bonus: order comes with a large bowl of duck soup. Ours was a clear soup with tofu, daikon and some greens. Nicely complements the richness of the duck.This seems to be their most popular item, and it's easy to see why. We'll definitely order it again.

Love this place! The portions are very generous (matches the price). Food is really delicious and great for a larger group! The duck has crispy skin which was amazing. Came on a Wednesday night with a party of 7 and there was no wait. Last time I came there was about an hour wait on the weekend and ran out of duck, so glad I got to try it this time!

Drove an hour from South Austin. WORTH IT. Definitely lives up to their sign out front for best peking duck! Legit traditional mom pop Sichuan cuisine! When you see my peoples there you know it's fire! This definitely serves traditional family style so bring either a group or a huge appetite the dishes are family sized!Peking duck - most, juicy not super oily like most others and the fixins and the Bao wrappers are thin and delish! So good! Comes with a hefty side bowl of soup to compliment.Sichuan crispy chicken - Nicely fried and heads up if you've never had Sichuan peppercorn, you'll get a tingling sensation in your mouth while you eat. Mapo tofu with pork - delishDefinitely a place to bring a huge group! Patience is key as they do take their time to get the plates freshly made!

Every time I visit, I have the same wonderful experience! You absolutely have to try the Peking duck; it's the best I've ever had. It's $47 for half a Peking duck, duck broth, and hot jasmine tea, plus tip. It's worth it!The customer service is excellent, and the atmosphere is pleasant, especially during the weekdays.

We were in Austin for the day and wanted to find a traditional, authentic Chinese meal. Bamboo House came up as a must-try place and we were very pleased with our choice. We ordered way too much food but have plenty of leftovers! I think the menu is really geared to ordering dishes to be shared amongst 3+ people. We had the Stewed Flounder Fillets with Sauerkraut which is a very large pot of soup; enough to be shared by at least four people - especially if you are ordering more items. We also had the half-order of Peking Duck. Absolutely delicious; perfectly crispy skin and moist meat!Which they had a Bamboo House in San Antonio!